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Meet Grace. Isn't she a doll? John and Anne, the proud parents of this little gem, were my very first clients a couple years back, so it was really great to come full circle and reunite with them once again for another session, this time with their 4 week old newborn.
We staged this get-together indoors, using natural light and draping Grace in an assortment of blankets and embraces. "Oogie, Boogie... Goo-Goo, Gah-Gah." That pretty much sums up my direction on this shoot -- can you tell I'm not a parent yet? Hah! See, I'm learning a lot from these types of sessions -- and not just about photography -- but what it means to bring a beaming new smile into the world. I guess you could say I'm getting primed for my turn someday (which I'm sure brings an even bigger smile to my mom and dad).
The true highlight of the day was us capturing a brief glint of a grin from Grace while sleeping. Oh, what dreams dance in her head? There was a collective silence among us. I was told, at this age, such a smile is an infrequent shooting-star-of-a-sight : fleeting, treasured, and pure magic.
John and Anne, thanks again for letting me document yet another amazing chapter in your lives. And to Finn, I know you're going to be the best Big Brother ever!
Apologies in advance to any Julia Roberts-Denzel fans that will inevitably be swatted this way by Google. Likewise, sorry to disappoint those on the hunt for information on the feathered Weeble Wobble pictured below.
Rather, I've been wanting to follow through on one of my New Year's promises and pay it forward a bit to my photography peers. I've learned and benefited so much from the generous shares of information on the blogs of fellow shooters, that I've really been wanting to deliver a contribution of my own... even if it is about a piece of luggage -- hah!
That brings us to the Pelican 1510 case.
If you are a photographer (or travel with some really precious threads), and you are looking for a reliable, sturdy solution for commuting with your gear, do consider this groovy case. Yes, it does look a bit intimidating, but that's what you want, a bouncer of a bag that shouts : "I pity the fool who messes with me!" So, what's there to love? First, the 1510 conforms to FAA size requirements and is carry-on approved (at least for domestic flights): no checking in your equipment. It's a hard case, built tough, so you don't have to worry about your gear getting shaked, rattled, and rolled amongst the other mortal luggage.
The Pelican is a trooper in weather and storage: watertight, airtight, dustproof. Big, confident grips on the side and top are a plus for easy transport, and the retractable extension handle and wheeled base make this baby a dream to roll around through airports, on-location, or around the house on a really slow Friday night.
Most importantly, the Pelican delivers peace of mind. Sadly, photo gear is all too often the target of thieves... even in the assumed safety bubble of a wedding or reception venue... and we owe it to ourselves and our clients to protect our equipment as best we can. Double latches seal this puppy shut, and two padlocks (Sesame makes great combo locks) deter the curious and the criminal. Loop a bicycle cable through the locks, and girdle it around an anchored object for extra protection.
Inside the Pelican, it's cozier than a campfire. Adjustable padded dividers let you switch things up and customize the cubby spaces on the fly. Currently, I can squeeze in 2 camera bodies, 2 flashes, a 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 50mm, batteries, a flash modifier or two, with room to spare for another small lens or so. An optional panel of zippered compartments can be screwed into the underside of the top lid, making for easy transport of all the other little goodies essential for your shoot.
That's it, friends! No, Pelican isn't tossing any herrings my way for this rave. I just think it's a solid piece of merchandise, and if some soul comes across this post and finds it helpful, then mission accomplished. It's not the cheapest case, and yeah, it's weighty, but hey, it will keep you and your gear in good form for your shoots! I'm looking forward to traveling with the Pelican in a couple weeks for a wedding, and no doubt this bird will make the air commute all the more pleasurable.
"Famished Pelican Eyeing Levitating Girl With Mickey Mouse Ears", 2008
To the one who keeps me inspired and is always there with her cheering cap on. Sometimes the stars are just aligned. With you, more often than not.
Happy Birthday, Gian!
And, to everyone who was able to make the surprise party... and those who have sent your well-wishes... thank you!
Playing in the woods used to be a real treat as a kid. Even now, on nature walks with family, I usually find myself lagging behind, straggling to flip over a beckoning rock or an old log to see what lurks underneath. A sleepy salamander. Something lost. A diamond in the rough. "Steve, leave that thing alone, and let's go!" lovingly snaps me back on track, but no less curious.
Being a night owl, I'm typically burning the midnight oil editing pictures, not shooting them. Well, last Thursday I dabbled in a photo version of Wife Swap, reversed roles a bit, and hit the town under the cover of night with my camera. It was a great way to challenge myself, see my surroundings differently, and photograph what I might otherwise overlook when out in the sun. In short, shooting at night is just another way of flipping this big city over, belly in the air, and seeing what's on the other side. And boy, what discoveries there are.
I met up with seven other photographers, which is a great way to explore night photography: there's safety in numbers, and, working in a group, day or night, encourages the sharing of ideas and everyone grows. We worked well past midnight, found plenty to photograph in just a few square blocks, and I polished up some selects I thought might be share-worthy.
So, now and then, remember to Flip It. Flip It, Good.
Next week: a newborn session (no flipping). Stay tuned!
